The First Ecumenical CouncilHeld in Nicea, Asia Minor in 325. Under Emperor Constantine the Great. 318 Bishops were present.The Arian Controversy
Arius denied the Divinity of Christ. If Jesus was born, then there was a time when He did not exist. If He became God, then there was a time when He was not. The council declared Arius' teaching a heresy, unacceptable to the Church and decreed that Christ is God. He is of the same essence with God the Father.
The Creed
The first part of the seven articles of the Creed were ratified at the First Ecumenical Council. The text reads as follows:
We believe in one God. The Father Almighty. Maker of Heaven and Earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the only begotten, begotten of the Father before all ages. Light of Light; True God of True God; begotten not made; of one essence with the Father, by whom all things were made, who for us men and our salvation came down from Heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man. And He was crucified for us under Pontious Pilate, and suffered, and was buried. And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures; and acsended into Heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.
Defenders of Orthodoxy
St. Athanasios (297-373)
Fearless champion of orthodoxy; spent sixteen of his fifty-four years as Bishop of Alexzandria in exile; one of the most profound theologians; Father of the Church.
St. Basil the Great (330-379)
A natural leader and organizer; spoke and wrote against Arianism; founded hospitals, orphanages, welfare agencies; revised and updated the Divine Liturgy; made a great contribution to monastiscism, one of the famous Cappadocian Fathers. The Cappadocians along with St. Athansious, laid the pattern for formulating the doctrines related to the Mystery of the Holy Trinity. St. Basil the Great, along with St. Gregory of Nazianzus and St. John Chrysostom are called the three Hieararchs.
The Second Ecumenical Council
Held in Constantinople in 381. Under Emperor Theodosius the Great. 150 Bishops were present.
The Macedonian Controversy
Macedonius, somewhat like Arius, was misinterpreting the Church's teaching on the Holy Spirit. He taught that the Holy Spirit was not a person (hypostasis) but more of a power (dynamic) of God. Therefore the Spirit was inferior to the Father and the Son. The council condemned Macedonius' teaching and defined the doctrine of the Holy Trinity. The Council decreed that there was one God in three Persons (hypostases): Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
The Creed
The holy Fathers added five articles to the Creed, they read as follows:
And(we believe) in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father.Who with the Father and Son is worshiped and glorified, who spoke by the prophets. In One, Holy, and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Defenders of Orthodoxy
St. Gregory of Nazianzus the Theologian(329-390)
He was a scholar who studied in Athens with St. Basil the Great; became Patriarch of Constantinople; presided at the second council; a poet and profound thinker. He wrote many poems, hymns, essays and sermons.
St. Gregory of Nyssa(331-396)
Younger brother of St. Basil the Great. He was a theologian who delved deeply into the truths of the faith.
St. John Chrysostom(345-407)
John was born and educated in Antioch. He became Patriarch of Constantinople in 398. He is known for his eloquent and straight forward sermons, was responsible for the revision of the Divine Liturgy. He died in Exile.
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